LAN2k

Stands for Obesity Help from the website and weight loss (WL), message board... Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum (VSG)

How were you sure that the back pain was from the PPI you were taking?

Ditto for me as well.

Thanks for putting out that info Cajun. I am taking Acephex 20mg once a day in the morning. I've sort of felt damned if I do damned if I don't but I'm hoping that I won't be damned period as I wean off by about the one year mark.

Hey there what you feel now is the norm. That breathing apparatus mentioned, with the balls, is very important to insure your lungs stay clear! I was sent home with one and while in the hospital was instructed to do an inhale/exhale exercise with it every hour while 5 days in the hospital and for the first 2 weeks when home. If you are already home monitor your temp often as they would in the hospital. I know getting enough fluids in is overwhelming at the beginning, but keep sipping nonetheless, your capacity will increase over time. I hope this venue will be a source of strength and support for you and wish you a smooth and uneventful recovery.

He looks so good thumbs up and all! Give him my congratulations and tell him I'm hoping his recovery will be smooth. Thanks for posting!

I'm here rooting for you too! I wish you the best and look forward to hearing from you post surgery! God be with you throughout.

Oh no doubt you are right that the women she referred to were probably heavy weights and not morbidly obese. She does know how heavy I became though and I was in the obese catagory, just under 100lbs overweight. I agree that the majority of men aren't attracted to obese women and the converse is probably as true but I do notice exceptions and when I do I sort of wish I would find a man who'd love and cherish me even in the fat. I would feel so much more secure in that love.

Please just try to follow the protocol of staying hydrated and getting in as much protein as you can. . Also walk or do some form of excercise. It's good that you have a part time job to distract you somewhat. I agree that if you are not taking a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) (acid blocker), maybe you should speak to your surgeon or PCP about it. I take Aciphex and do not have any side effects of which I am aware. You have lost a significant amount of weight in 4 weeks time. Keep coming back and posting so you can get the support you need as you progress. I wish you peace and wellness in your WL journey.

Your not rambling and I appreciate your input. I very much relate to what you are feeling. I am also dealing with a lifetime of emotional issues since having my surgery and medicating myself with food is no longer an option. Being obese is no longer an excuse I can hide behind. I too do not want to be alone the remainder of my life. For me that is a scary prospect to accept. Thanks TxSam for posting your feelings. Hoping that by working through these issues resolution will come and with it doors will open to a better future.

My sister, (who is and has always been lean sz,6), just got home from a lovely vacation in Jamaica with her husband. She phoned me and told me that she couldn't believe how many heavy female tourists there were prancing around in skimpy bathing suits with lean fit good looking men by their sides, many married couples. Even her husband, who has expanded in size since married, was surprised. My sis said "I mean these woman were FAT-and walking around in skimpy bathing suites! And their men were FIT AND GOOD LOOKING...I couldn't believe it!" I thought about that and I know that there is more to attraction than what a person looks like physically. Many people shine from within and become beautiful in every way once their personality is known. Once upon a time, (2002) I had lost enough weight (sz.9) and had a good appearance...but I still lacked in self confidence. I was told by my young, (10yrs old) male grandson as we were walking through a Walgreens store, "You want to find a husband? Look around 'mom', look at how many of these ladies are smiling! You need to do that too! You always look sad or worried and THAT"S why men don't want to get to know you!" What could I say? He had a point. Out of the mouth of babes I thought. :confused:

I wouldn't push for the back surgery if your surgeon feels the timing is not optimal to insure your over all health. Things have a way of working out for the best and I'm sure they will work out for you with your job when the time comes for your back surgery. Your surgeon seems to really care and that's a good thing.

It sounds to me as though your depression is based upon your fear of the unfamiliar feelings that the change in your anatomy is producing. The pains be they from gas or inflammation, swelling, incision healing, can also be scary, but (barring any kind of complication), will subside. Diarrhea is expected since you are not able to eat solid food only Clear liquids. As things progress you will not be in so much physical discomfort. Slowly you will come to adjust to a new way of drinking and eating, and your bowel movements will eventually regulate. Be patient and understand that you have just undergone major surgery and as you heal much of the pain that you are feeling will subside. I suggest that you just focus on keeping yourself hydrated first and foremost by sipping, warm or cold or both which ever feels better going down. Walk as much as possible and get ample rest. Stay connected and let us know how it goes.

Best wishes-I will keep you in prayer for a safe, uneventful surgery and recovery tomorrow morning! Keep us posted as soon as your able.

I so understand how you are feeling. It takes courage to have this surgery and even more so outside of the US. I have read testimony after testimony from real people on this message board who have had Dr. Aceves and do not recall ever reading of any dissatisfaction, complaint or complication. He is a highly skilled and experienced surgeon having done many sleeve procedures. That would really help ease my nerves. I'll be thinking of you and keeping close tabs as your date approaches will send up prayers for a very good surgery and recovery.

Oh don't be scared take a swig! Then let us know what you think! Some people actually do okay drinking Isopure. For me it wasn't the tartness it was some other weird unnatural bitter taste that I didn't like.

While it's true that many people eat and eat and eat and do NOT become over weight or obese, I myself have abused my body with excessive eating for many years. When I finally got myself physically deformed into an obese body, it was next to impossible for me through diet and exercise to get back into shape and remain that way.

Congratulations Daisy! Since I joined this message board your attitude has been very supportive. I am so happy for you and wish you continued happiness in good health.

Welcome and congratulations on accomplishing what you set out to do 4 years ago! It sounds like you are doing great. Thanks for sharing your story and keep coming back as you progress.

For the first few weeks I was instructed to crush any meds and mix with a little water or juice...I used a pill crusher and mixed the crushed pill in with about an ounce of apple juice. If the generic wellbutrin is not time released it can be crushed or if in capsule emptied. Be sure to check with your surgeon.

Praying for your surgery and recovery to go well. Best wishes Sassie.

Besides acid reflux I was under the impression that excess stomach acid could be a cause of ulcers? Info on that anyone?

1) I am praying for inner peace Stacey. Since losing so much weight so fast and still finding eating so tedious, I actually feel a bit vulnerable. I'm still a little freaked out when I think of how drastically my stomach was reduced. That said, had I this surgery 10 years ago I think I would have been in a better psychological frame of mind. I did undergo a major change in my long time living situation only 2 weeks prior to surgery and I really think that has played a major role in my feelings of doubt and sometimes fear. 2) You make a valid point. It seems that in the couple of instances I have read the circumstances were not so easy to decipher. I will look for the links and PM them to you. Keep in mind that they are isolated cases as most leaks happen very soon after surgery.

However, there have been isolated cases where a leak went undetected months after surgery! I don't wish to cause you undue worry but as they say it's not over until the fat lady sings? I personally, although no longer a fat lady, am not yet singing.

Good article. This is a very important issue and warrants further investigation. A friend of mine told me from the get-go how necessary stomach acid is for proper digestion and protection from bacterial infection like H-Pylori. What I don't understand is why H-pylori is treated with a PPI along with aggressive antibiotics! I had a few bouts with acid reflux within the first couple of weeks after my surgery. My surgeon initially sent me home with a script for otc pepsid ac. That did not work. I tried prilosec but the side effects of overnight dried mouth and tongue and the lucid insane dreams caused me to stop taking it. I tried protonix but that also produced side effects that I had trouble with. Since my surgery I would gag and heave every morning as I was brushing my teeth and rinsing. It was as though I had some lining of mucus in my throat that could not be expelled and it would be aggravated by the gargle and I'd gag. Later I read in one of these threads that sometimes acid reflux symptoms manifest as excessive mucus production, as the body's way of protecting tissue from the acid. The person who posted this backed it up with a scientific article and she also stated the PPI she was put on and that after taking it her symptoms ceased. Well, so I contacted my surgeon and PCP had them both read the article and without any resistance was given a script for the PPI Aciphex, for which there is no generic to date. I take one 20mg per day. I'm no longer gagging and dry heaving when I gargle in the morning but I still have that back of the throat mucus and NOTHING seems to alleviate it. Often times my throat is sore from futile attempts at clearing it. I am now wondering if it is due to acid reflux even if I'm not having the ordinary symptoms and am taking athe PPI Aciphex. I hope I can find relief and that soon things will regulate in my body.